Punahou Class of 1984

Punahou students aid public schools

When Punahou School senior Jared Toba was assigned a project for his economics class earlier this semester that required him to "address an issue and take action on that issue," it didn’t take long for him to decide on his topic.

"I remembered when I was at (Kaimukí) Middle School, I got to play intermediate sports for free," said Toba, who is now on Punahou’s swimming team. "I learned a lot about teamwork and responsibility."

So the "issue" Toba wanted to address is the recent state budget cuts that left public high school athletic departments operating with less than 64 percent of their 2008-2009 allocations.

His action: Create a fund-raising event with proceeds going toward the Hawai’i High School Athletic Association’s "SOS" (Save Our Sports) campaign, which has so far raised $1,338,773 to help offset the public schools’ budget cuts for athletic supplies, equipment, transportation and coaches stipends.

Toba’s event, called "Spare Our Sports," takes place from noon to 4 p.m. tomorrow at ‘Aiea Bowl. A $10 ticket includes two hours of bowling and shoe rental, and raffle tickets will be sold for a chance at door prizes like gift cards, University of Hawai’i merchandise and Oakley shades.

Kamehameha towers above ILH – but Punahou gets a bid to states…

Kamehameha won its 10th straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu cheerleading championship last night, but for the first time since 2003 the Warriors will have ILH company at next month’s state tournament.

An estimated crowd of about 1,200 at Punahou’s Hemmeter Fieldhouse watched youthful Kamehameha — with only two seniors — score 339 points off a traditionally difficult routine to win handily over Punahou (283) and ‘Iolani (250).

Christian Academy, Saint Louis and St. Francis also entered teams, and the increased number gave the ILH a second state tournament berth, after five years of having only one berth according to the Hawai’i High School Athletic Association formula.

Thus Punahou will be making its first state tournament appearance since 2004.

"I’m so excited … being on the varsity the past three years, it was hard to see the ILH get only one (state) bid," said Buffanblu senior co-captain Tara Wong. "(The second berth) motivated us to step it up even more, and I’m so proud of our team for making it to the state tournament. It’s amazing."

image from Honolulu Advertiser. Didn’t see any credits on the website, so I have no idea who to credit.

Photo gallery here.  Video here.

Northwest swells could reach 30 feet tonight

A powerful storm system passing far north of the Hawaiian Islands has generated a large open ocean swell that is expected to reach Hawaiian waters later tonight, the NWS said. The surf is forecast to rise to 20 to 30 feet along north-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai and Oahu late tonight and along north-facing shores of Molokai and Maui tomorrow morning, the weather service said.

Matson’s Christmas tree ship to arrive this week

Matson said the arrival of this year’s trees has been spread over four vessel voyages. The bulk of this year’s trees arrived on the S.S. Maui this past Saturday. More will come aboard the MV Manoa on Nov. 28. The first small shipment arrived on the Manoa on Nov. 14. Those trees were targeted for retail store displays and limited Neighbor Island sales. A final shipment of trees will arrive on the Maui on Dec. 5.

Punahou teacher selected for teaching exchange in Ghana

John Wolfe is one of 40 exceptional teachers from around the United States who has been selected by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State and IREX (International Research and Exchanges Board) to participate in a two-way exchange program that provides professional development opportunities to secondary school teachers from around the world.

Wolfe teaches English courses at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii and will be traveling to Ghana for two weeks in April, 2010.

"I am infinitely excited about being on the other side of the world sharing ideas about teaching teenagers from cultural backgrounds vastly different than mine, and experiencing the mysteries of the new sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and textures of Ghana," stated Wolfe.

EBay founder plans Island news service

EBay Inc. founder and local philanthropist Pierre Omidyar is adding a new title to his resume: media mogul.

Omidyar said yesterday that he plans to launch a local online news service covering public interest and civic matters affecting Hawai’i’s communities.

From the Honolulu Advertiser

Names, photographs of DUI arrestees to be posted on HPD Web page

Beginning a week from today, police will start posting on the Honolulu Police Department’s Web page a link directing viewers to a site containing the names and photographs of everyone arrested and charged during the preceding week with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

I’m struggling to make some kind of astronomy joke, but I’m failing.  Anyway:

Longs buys 2 old Star Markets. One of the ones that got purchased is the one near University Ave. in Moiliili, the other is in Ewa Beach. 

Actually, Honolulu was just added  to Google Street view.  Just hit Google Maps and move the little yellow figure to a yellow highlighted street.  Not all of Honolulu is there, but if you want a quick virtual tour, most major roads have been loaded.

Waimea Bay	Waikiki